C21 Media reports ABC has bought the rights to season 2 and 3 of Nerds & Monsters and Camp Lakebottom from Canadian distributor 9 Story Media Group. Both shows currently air on ABC ME.
ABC Me Summer schedule dates
ABC ME BEST FEST from 8 Dec
ABC ME app and iview
My Year 12 Life: Life After The ATAR
Premiere Thursday 14 December at 7.30pm
Puss In Boots Season 1 Premiere
Friday 15 December at 5.35pm
Matilda and the Ramsay Bunch Season 3
Premiere Monday 18 December at 3.40pm
Hank Zipzer’s Christmas Catastrophe
Premiere Monday 25 December at Thursday 14 December at 5.55pm
Raising Expectations
Tuesday 26 December at 7.00pm
The Next Step Season 4 Premiere
Sunday 31 December at 6.35pm
All Hail King Julien Season 1 Premiere
Daily at 7:20am from Monday 1 January
C21 Media reports ABC Me has become the first international network to acquire the recent reboot of iconic UK children’s property Dennis the Menace, the 52-episode Dennis the Menace Unleashed.
ABC orders a new season of The Deep
DHX Media, A Stark Production and Technicolor have announced that ABC ME has ordered 13 new half-hour episodes of the global hit series The Deep, bringing the total number of episodes to 52 half-hours. Season three of The Deep will be available to Netflix members worldwide, and on DHX Media’s own Family CHRGD in Canada.
“ABC ME brings children content that they love and we are excited to be expanding that experience with a new season of The Deep – a high quality and engaging underwater adventure series like no other,” said Michael Carrington, head of ABC children’s television.
Avrill Stark, CEO, A Stark Production, and executive producer of The Deep, said: “We are extremely pleased to be announcing a third season of The Deep with our wonderful collaborators, DHX Media and Technicolor. With broadcast and streaming support from ABC, Netflix and Family CHRGD, plus some exciting licensing deals in place, we are looking forward to the continued local and international success of The Deep.”
The Deep is a co-production between Australia-based A Stark Production (scripts, design and music) and Canada-based DHX Media (animation, voices and post-production), with distribution also handled by DHX Media.
The Deep was originally optioned from Nekton Productions. The television series is based on the Aurealis Award-winning graphic novel series, “The Deep”, which was created by multi-award winning, best-selling comic book author and playwright Tom Taylor (“All-New Wolverine”, “Earth 2”, “Superior Iron Man”, “Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight”, “Injustice: Gods Among Us”, “Star Wars: Blood Ties”) and co-creator, artist James Brouwer (“Justice League Beyond”), and published by Wolfgang Bylsma and Skye Ogden’s Gestalt Comics.
Bear Grylls’ Survival School - Season 2
From Saturday 17 March at 6:20pm Double episode
In Bear Grylls’ Survival School, ten kids between the ages of 12 to 15, from a diverse range of backgrounds with their own personal stories are called on to abandon their much-loved technology and follow survival expert Bear Grylls on an epic and life changing adventure in the famous peaks of Snowdonia in Wales.
The challenges that await them will be crucial survival techniques, unusual culinary delights, speeding helicopters, huge snakes, poisonous spiders – and some of the most eye-watering stunts ever attempted by children.
The invaluable life lessons they’ll learn along the way include teamwork, perseverance and resilience. The young explorers will have to work together and put the skills they’ve learnt into practice to accomplish a challenging survival exercise in the final episodes.
ABC LAUNCHES CHINESE COLLECTION IN CELEBRATION OF LUNAR NEW YEAR!
ABC KIDS will broadcast a special curated day celebrating the Year of the Dog both on-air and on ABC KIDS iview. Programs include:
- Four premiere episodes (including a special Lunar New Year episode) of the new series Luo Bao Bei; broadcast in English and available in both Mandarin and English on ABC KIDS iview.
- The broadcast premiere of three Asian language Play School Story Time episodes with famous Australians reading stories in Cantonese, Japanese and Mandarin;
- Jimmy Giggle, Hoot and Giggle Bones throw a puppy party;
- A collection of dog-themed preschool episodes including; Peppa Pig, Hey Duggee, Bing, Fireman Sam, Octonauts, and Dot.
ABC KIDS LUNAR NEW YEAR HIGHLIGHTS ON FRIDAY 16 FEBRUARY:
Luo Bao Bei
Airing at 7.25am, 7.40am, 8.35am, 5.00pm and 6.15pm on ABC KIDS and ABC iview
Luo Bao Bei is a bright and spirited 7-year old girl with a vivid imagination, on a quest to understand the world around her. With her friends and some endearing animal companions by her side, she navigates the excitement of childhood with enthusiasm and curiosity, always finding adventure along the way. Kids everywhere will relate to Luo Bao Bei’s journey to learn life lessons, one story at a time.
Broadcast in English and available on ABC iview in English and Mandarin.
Play School Story Time: Languages
Airing from 2.10pm on ABC KIDS and ABC iview
Asian language speaking families and families with an interest in developing Mandarin, Cantonese or Japanese as a second language, will be able to enjoy watching these language versions of Play School Story Time. (These episodes are all subtitled in English and the original English versions are also available on ABC iview).
•Play School Story Time: Karen Pang - Diary of a Wombat (Cantonese) 2.10pm on ABC KIDS and ABC iview
Play School favourite Karen Pang joins her Play School friends on the Story Time couch to share a delightful and entertaining peek into the life of one very busy wombat! Don’t miss Jackie French and illustrator Bruce Whatley’s Diary of a Wombat in Cantonese!
•Play School Story Time: Kumi Taguchi - Too Many Pears (Japanese) 2.20pm on ABC KIDS and ABC iview
ABC News presenter Kumi Taguchi swaps the news desk for the Story Time couch to read Jackie French and illustrator, Bruce Whatley’s beloved story about Pamela the cow in Too Many Pears in Japanese!
•Play School Story Time: Adam Liaw – The Little Red Hen and the Grains of Wheat (Mandarin) 2.25pm on ABC KIDS and ABC iview
Join the fun as Adam Liaw reads the classic tale of The Little Red Hen and the Grains of Wheat by author L. R. Hen and Illustrator Jago in Mandarin.
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Top Chef Jr
From Saturday 5 May at 6:25pm
Twelve of the most talented young chefs from around America kick-off the competition by putting their dreams on a plate and proving they have what it takes to be the next generation of Top Chefs.
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Mustangs FC has been sold to CBBC in the UK and Universal Kids in the US. In America it will be called Mighty Mustangs.
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Teenage Boss
From Sunday 24 June at 6.25pm
Hosted by Australia’s star mathematics teacher, Eddie Woo, Teenage Boss follows fifteen teenagers from across Australia taking control of the family finances for a month, with some surprising (or perhaps not so surprising) results.
Under Eddie’s mentorship, tough life lessons are learnt as we follow the teenagers through the ups, downs, fun and fear of the real world financial challenges their parents have to face every day - but that they’ll only be experiencing for the first time.
Provoking hilarious discussions between the teens and their families around financial priorities, the 15 Teenage Bosses learn valuable lessons about financial responsibility, planning and the art of negotiating an allowance during this observational documentary series.
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Grace Beside Me
Daily from Sunday 8 July at 5pm
GRACE BESIDE ME is a 13 x 26-minute live action series for 8 – 12-year-olds that combines whimsy, adventure, comedy and drama. The series takes audiences on an emotional roller coaster ride, following Fuzzy, as she learns to accept her gift and understand the meaning of ‘grace’.
ABC AND SCREEN AUSTRALIA INVEST IN LOCAL STORIES FOR CHILDREN
The ABC and Screen Australia are proud to announce a slate of new children’s programs that showcase local content, creativity and talent, across drama, comedy and animation.
The additional investment delivers on the ABC’s strategy of telling engaging and entertaining Australian stories for children. The ABC’s funding of Australian children’s content grew 39% in 2017-18, supporting emerging and established Australian talent for broadcast and digital audiences.
Leading the way is The InBESTigators, a new children’s comedy by the creators of the award-winning Little Lunch. The Gristmill production takes place in an Australian detective agency run by four eleven year olds, who manage to solve one thorny school or neighbourhood mystery after another. While every episode offers a compelling puzzle to crack, at its core the show is a character comedy with heart.
Live-action comedy is at the bouncing heart of Hardball, which showcases the diversity and vibrancy of life in suburban Australia. From creators Matt Zeremes and Guy Edmonds working on their first major series production, alongside Head of Kids, Catherine Nebauer at Northern Pictures, this series features fish-out-of-water Mikey and his misfit mates Salwa and Jerry. Their goal? To make Mikey the sweetest-bestest-acest handball champ that Western Sydney’s ever seen.
Lovers of surreal, laugh-out-loud animation will give full marks to 100% Wolf, a comedy series about Freddy Lupin, an 11-year-old boy set to turn into a werewolf, just like everyone else in his family. Things don’t go as planned when Freddy turns into an adorable poodle instead! Adapted from the popular Australian children’s novel, 100% Wolf is produced by Australian animation studio Flying Bark, along with Michael Bourchier and Barbara Stephen.
The Logie-nominated Mustangs FC will hit the field again for a second series about an all-girls soccer team. Produced by Amanda Higgs and Rachel Davis for Matchbox Pictures, the stellar Australian cast returns after finally beating their biggest rivals – but the new soccer season brings new challenges.
ABC Director of Entertainment and Specialist content David Anderson said: “The ABC is committed to telling funny, engaging and innovative Australian stories for children, created by some of our finest local creatives. These new programs deliver on the ABC’s strategy of focusing on high-quality and distinctive Australian content to inform, entertain and inspire children of all ages.
“Only the ABC offers so much extraordinary and relevant content across television and digital platforms, showcasing Australia’s amazing stories, settings and talent.”
Screen Australia Head of Production Sally Caplan said: “It’s vital that young Australians are able to see their country, their stories and hear their accent reflected on the screen, so we are incredibly proud to be working with the ABC on this significant slate of children’s programs.
“The characters in The InBESTigators, Mustangs FC, 100% Wolf and Hardball are distinctive and inclusive, and tell stories that are innovative and culturally significant. We have high hopes young viewers will connect with these tales and keep enjoying Australian content as they grow up.”
COMMISSIONED PROGRAMS
The InBESTigators - in production 2018
The InBESTigators blends the comic, tonal and stylistic DNA of Little Lunch with the great tradition of whodunnit. When Ezra Banks (11, aspiring entrepreneur), meets Maudie Miller (10, aspiring Columbo), he sees an opportunity to fill an obvious gap in the market: a detective agency run by children. Maudie and Ezra are joined by two other kids from grade five, Ava and Kyle. Ava brings the social skills and Kyle brings the athletic prowess. Each episode solves a mystery; clues are littered throughout, and the race is on to see if the audience can crack the case before Maudie.
Production credits: The InBestigators is a Gristmill production for ABC TV and Netflix.Principal production investment from Screen Australia in association with ABC. Financed with support from Film Victoria.
Producers: Robyn Butler and Wayne Hope.
Commissioning Broadcasters: ABC & Netflix.
Financing Partners: Screen Australia, Film Victoria and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF).
Runs for: 20 x 30 minute episodes on ABC ME and the ABC ME app.
International Distribution: ACTF. The InBESTigators will debut on Netflix outside of Australia/New Zealand.
Hardball – in production 2018
Set in Western Sydney Hardball is a live action comedy series that follows fish-out-of-water Mikey and his two misfit mates, Salwa and Jerry. Their goal? Make Mikey the sweetest-bestest-acest handball champ Western Sydney’s ever seen. He’s got the most powerful strike in the world, if only he could make the ball land in the right suburb!
Production credits: A Northern Pictures production for ABC TV. Principal production investment from Screen Australia in association with ABC TV. Financed with support from Create NSW.
Creators: Matt Zeremes and Guy Edmonds.
Producers: Catherine Nebauer and Joe Weatherstone.
Financing Partners: Screen Australia, Create NSW and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF), Northern Pictures.
Runs for: 13 x 26 minute episodes on ABC ME and the ABC ME app.
100% Wolf - in production 2018
Freddy Lupin would be just like any other ordinary eleven-year-old boy… except he is neither ordinary nor simply ‘a boy’. He is eleven though… and also a werewolf! Or will be. On the night of his very first transformation, Freddy is set to turn into a strong and brave wolf like everyone in his family before him, but… shock horror! Freddy turns into an adorable POODLE!
Production credits: A Flying Bark production for ABC (Australia) and Super RTL (Germany) with international rights and distribution through Studio 100. Principal production investment from Screen Australia. Financed with support from Screen West and Create NSW.Producers: Michael Bourchier & Barbara Stephen.Commissioning Broadcasters: ABC and Super RTL (Germany).
Funding Partners: Screen Australia, Screenwest, and Create NSW.
Runs for: 26 x 22 minute episodes on ABC ME and the ABC ME app.
Mustangs FC Season 2 - in production 2018
Season 2 brings more complex relatable stories about real young women and their friendships, challenges and triumphs. There’s more of the Mustangs’ signature humour and heart, wrapped round stories about bullying, body image, sexuality, and the politics of moon cups, menstruation and mansplaining.
After getting to the finals last year but missing out on actually raising the trophy, the Mustangs are pumped and ready to get back in the game. Problem is – there’s a Ruby shaped hole in the team since she defected to the Wildcats, and it’s wobbling everyone. The girls don’t even know if they can win a single match without her, never mind the league cup.
Production credits: A Matchbox Productions production for ABC TV.
Principal production investment from ABC in association with Screen Australia. Financed with support from Film Victoria.
Producers: Amanda Higgs and Rachel Davis.
Financing Partners: Screen Australia, Film Victoria and NBCUniversal.
Runs for: 13 x 24 minute episodes on ABC ME and the ABC ME app.
Project Planet
From Wednesday 25 July at 4:30pm
Showcases a group of dynamic young people from three diverse classrooms across Australia who are on a mission to transform their schools from being eco wastelands to waste-wise wonderlands.
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ABC ME HIGHLIGHTS FOR NAIDOC WEEK 8-15 JULY 2018
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Advice to My 12-Year-Old Self: Indigenous Australians share their thoughts on the theme “Because of Her, We Can!” and celebrate the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who have impacted their lives. ABC ME app/iview from 8 July.
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Little J and Big Cuz: Little J and Big Cuz are two Indigenous Australian kids finding out about culture, community and culture, in this Logie Award-winning series. Broadcast daily from 8 July at 4pm.
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News to Me: Indigenous actor Kamil Ellis hosts the weekly wrap up of good news and reviews, plus an interview with Grace Beside Me star Kyliric Masella. ABC ME app/iview from 8 July or broadcast on 9 July at 9.30am.
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Shame: Jaral struggles with being a 12-year-old girl while trying to learn Noongar language to honour her family and culture. ABC ME app/iview from 9 July.
Herald Sun reports today comedian Tommy Little is joining the cast of Mustangs FC, playing club manager Anton.
ABC Children’s First Day wins international award celebrating diversity and inclusion
The ABC drama First Day has won the inaugural prize for outstanding children’s programming across all genres at the MIPCOM Diversify TV Excellence Awards.
The international awards celebrating diversity and inclusion were announced at the world’s biggest television market in Cannes on 16 October. ABC ME’s First Day was recognised for promoting understanding and acceptance of children who are transitioning, through the story of a transgender girl starting high school.
The character of Hannah is played by Evie Macdonald, a 12-year-old transgender girl in her first acting role – making First Day the only scripted drama with a transgender actor in the lead role to be commissioned for Australian television.
The program also won the prestigious Prix Jeunesse Gender Equity Prize in May, voted on by 550 children’s television experts from 65 countries.
ABC Children’s Head Libbie Doherty said: “The ABC is thrilled that our distinctive children’s content is making its mark all around the world. The MIPCOM Children’s Diversify Award for ABC ME’s First Day adds to the program’s already impressive list of gongs, including a Prix Jeunesse prize in May.
“Congratulations to writer/director Julie Kalceff and producer Kirsty Stark for their sensitive storytelling about the challenges and joys of a transgender teenager. Evie Macdonald’s debut performance is fantastic and it’s wonderful for her to receive this recognition on an international stage.”
First Day was produced by Epic Films and commissioned through an ABC and Screen Australia join initiative to celebrate International Day of the Girl.
ABC ME program Mardi Gras + Me , which follows a group of young people as they prepare to march in the 40th Sydney Mardi Gras Parade, was also nominated for a MIPCOM Diversify TV Excellence Award.
ABC Children’s scores two International Emmy nominations
The ABC has scored a brace of nominations for International Emmy Kids Awards with Mustangs FC and Secret Life Of Boys in line for one of the world’s pre-eminent prizes for excellence in children’s programming.
This week’s announcement by the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences recognises outstanding children’s programs across 13 countries – with the ABC receiving the only nominations from Australia.
ABC ME’s Mustangs FC , a goal-kicking comedy-drama about an all-girls soccer team, received an International Emmys nomination for Best Kids Series. The second series of ABC ME’s Secret Life Of Boys , about an Australian girl’s adventures in England, was nominated in the Best Kids Digital category.
Mustangs FC, the second series of which is in production, is produced by Matchbox Pictures for ABC ME, with the support of Screen Australia and Film Victoria. Secret Life of Boys is a Zodiak Kids production for ABC ME and Britain’s CBBC.
ABC Children’s Head Libbie Doherty said: “ABC ME leads the way in telling engaging stories that reflect the true diversity and colour of the world in which children live. The spectacular work for tweens in Mustangs FC and Secret Life Of Boys exemplifies our dedication to programs that entertain, surprise and challenge younger audiences.
“We are thrilled to receive two International Emmy Kids Awards nominations and thank everyone involved in bringing these distinctive programs to screen, across the ABC, Matchbox Pictures, Zodiak Kids and CBBC.”
Bruce Paisner, President & CEO of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, said: “The geographic spread and wealth of topics addressed in this year’s nominated programs attests to the vibrancy and quality of children’s television throughout the world. We congratulate the nominees for their outstanding talent and for setting a high bar for young viewers worldwide.”
The winners of the awards will be announced on 9 April 2019.
ABC ME bags three BAFTA award nominations
ABC ME has made its mark on the international stage by bagging three BAFTA award nominations celebrating the world’s best programs for young audiences.
The finalists for the 2018 British Academy Children’s Awards feature ABC ME series Nowhere Boys: Two Moons Rising (nominated for the International Live Action Award) and underwater adventure The Deep (International Animation Award). ABC ME enhanced acquisition So Awkward is a contender for Best Comedy program.
ABC Children’s Head Libbie Doherty said: “Congratulations to the teams behind Nowhere Boys, The Deep and So Awkward for setting the high-water mark for quality and distinctive programming that resonates with primary school-age children around the world.
“ABC ME reflects and celebrates the diverse lives, interests and joys of children across genres such as drama, animation and comedy. The BAFTA award nominations continue a golden run of recognition for ABC Children’s content, including this month’s win by First Day at the MIPCOM Diversity TV Excellence Awards.”
The Emmy Award-winning drama Nowhere Boys is a Matchbox Pictures production for the ABC, with the support of Screen Australia and Film Victoria. The Deep is produced by A Stark Production and DHX Media for the ABC and Britain’s CBBC.
The winners of the BAFTA Children’s Awards will be announced on 25 November.
ABC Children’s awards and nominations this month include:
- First Day won the inaugural prize for outstanding children’s programming across all genres at the MIPCOM Diversify TV Excellence Awards.
- Two International Emmy Kids Awards nominations for Mustangs FC (Best Kids Series) and Secret Life of Boys (Best Kids Digital).
- Three nominations for the 2018 Screen Music Awards, with Grace Beside Me and The Justine Clarke Show in line for Best Original Song Composed for Screen and The Deep: The Missing for Best Music for Children’s Television.
- Four nominations for Best Children’s Television Program at the 2018 ATOM Awards, celebrating the best Australian and New Zealand screen content from the education sector and screen industry: A Field Guide to Being a 12-Year-Old Girl; Grace Beside Me; Teenage Boss; and the ABC Education animated series Minibeast Heroes.
ABC and Screen Australia unite on DisRupted
ABC Children’s and Screen Australia have partnered on an exciting new funding program to showcase and amplify the work of Australian creatives and content makers with disability.
DisRupted will fund three to four individuals or teams to make a standalone film to reflect and capture what it’s like to be a young person with disability in Australia, and provide them with the opportunity to disrupt and reframe how disability is understood. The films will be broadcast on ABC ME on the International Day of People with Disability in 2019 for the 8 -12-year-old demographic.
Australian audiences will gain real insights into the lives and perspectives of young people with disability told by them as comedy, drama or documentary. DisRupted will be a defining moment for Australian young people with disability who will see stories reflecting their experiences brought to the screen and told from an authentic point of view by young actors with disability in a breakout role.
DisRupted will provide a career-changing opportunity for new and diverse talent in front and behind the camera. The authorship of each film is to be driven by a creative with disability as either Writer, Producer and/or Director.
The successful applicants will be given up to $100,000 each to create a film of approximately 20 minutes’ duration. They may be mentored and partnered by experienced producers, and receive editorial guidance from ABC Acting Head of Children’s, Libbie Doherty and Executive Producer, Amanda Isdale, and Screen Australia Head of Development, Nerida Moore and Development Executive, Ester Harding.
Libbie Doherty, ABC Acting Head of Children’s said: “People with disability have been underrepresented in media landscapes, and these important films will showcase a breadth of personal experiences and perspectives that will entertain kids, challenge their understanding and expand their minds. ABC Children’s is excited to be working with emerging creatives and filmmakers with disability, and to provide tangible career building opportunities.”
Nerida Moore, Head of Development at Screen Australia said: “ABC ME is doing phenomenal work providing young Australians with access to characters and stories that help them understand the range of people around them, and their different life experiences. The partnership between ABC ME and Screen Australia on the GIRLS initiative last year launched some great female talent, whilst giving viewers a truly authentic, Australian perspective on their lives. We are excited by what can be achieved with the DisRupted initiative.”
Applications open today, Wednesday 31st October, and the initiative is open to creators with disability aged 18 years and older. Applications close on Wednesday 12th December, 2018.
DisRupted is set to premiere on ABC ME, the ABC ME App and ABC iview in December 2019 as part of the International Day of People with Disability.
For more information, please visit the website – www.abc.net.au/disrupted
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ABC has bought the rights to Japanese anime series Dragon Ball Super, which is sequel to Dragon Ball Z. Dragon Ball Super premiered on ABC ME on November with episodes 1 to 46. The show is also available on ABC ME app and iView.
Dragon Ball Z (also dubbed in English) aired on Ten on weekday mornings.